Mitchell Marsh has been announced to lead Australia's 14-member squad for the three-match T20I series against West Indies starting on February 9 at the Blundstone Arena in Hobart.
The squad announcement marks the return of veteran David Warner and Josh Hazlewood. Notably, Warner, Marsh and Hazlewood weren't a part of the team that played a five-match T20I series against India in India following the conclusion of the ODI World Cup.
The selection panel has rested Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc and Australia's ODI and T20I captain Pat Cummins.
Smith, Starc and Cummins have been rested as a part of the workload management program. While there is uncertainty about Smith, Starc and Cummins will most likely return for the New Zealand tour which will be Australia's last opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
Smith's position in Australia's middle order has always been a topic of contention and with Matt Short having finished as the leading run-getter in the BBL 2024 with 541 runs, it seems that the selectors want to provide the Adelaide Strikers' skipper with an extended run at the top alongside Warner who has already announced his retirement from the ODIs and Tests.
Flamboyant batter Glenn Maxwell and pacer Nathan Ellis have also been added to the squad after being rested for the ODI leg. Ellis was withdrawn from the ODI squad after he sustained an injury.
Australia's T20I squad:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
West Indies' T20I squad:
Rovman Powell (c), Shai Hope, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas.
